so i bought a cheap keyboard today. it was 100 bucks. it's just a cheap ass casio with built-in effects and whatnot, 81 keys. i'm.. unimpressed. it's a toy.

so i searched around a bit, looking for budget midi controllers.. you guys seem to suggest the "evolution series" from m-audio i believe? anyways i was looking at this one for about $100

Evolution MK425C
25-key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Knobs and 10 Buttons.


so here's the questions-
the main reason i was dissapointed with my new purchase is because the keys aren't touch sensitive. is any of the evolution controllers touch sensitive or weighted? does it even matter if i'm using it to control FL studio or reason?

if i get a keyboard with say, 25 keys, is there a knob i can switch so it goes to upper or lower octaves?

do i need a sustain pedal to hold the samples for a longer period of time? otherwise the note decays too quickly for my taste. any suggestions?

any other suggestions for a midi controller around the $100 range that is touch sensitive? the amount of keys makes no difference.

thanks for the advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Omega_Blue the main reason I was dissapointed with my new purchase is because the keys aren't touch sensitive. is any of the evolution controllers touch sensitive or weighted? does it even matter if i'm using it to control FL studio or reason?

To the best of my knowlege the Evolution range is touch sensitive.
I would highly doubt you will find anything thats weighted for the prices your looking at.

quote:

Originally posted by Omega_Blue if i get a keyboard with say, 25 keys, is there a knob i can switch so it goes to upper or lower octaves? any other suggestions for a midi controller around the $100 range that is touch sensitive? the amount of keys makes no difference. thanks for the advice.

Yes, you will find buttons that will allow you to move 3-4 octives in either direction... that being said

when I bought my first controller I said the same thing about the amount of keys.. so I bought the old Evolution MK125, and you know what? the fact I only had two octives bugged the shite out of me..

you really need 3 octives or you will be constantly pushing your octive buttons and you will never be able to play anything in real time, due to the button pushing..

Go up 1 level to the 49key versions.. there should be a mk449C or somthing which will be the 49 key version of the mk425C and there is also 1 called Ekeys49 made by evolution which is as cheap as the 425C has the same features but they are built in to 1 button linked to all the keys rather than all the controls up the top.

Good luck in your search..

Mate, I've got an mk-249c and it does the job dandy. I think 25 keys is not enough, others may disagree but do yourself a favour. You've already made one bum purchase, no point making a second.

The keys are touch sensative (which is important. You can use velocity which is how hard you press the key to control features like the filter cutoff which can be very handy) but don't have aftertouch. They are not weighted, and none of the cheap midi controllers are. Unless you plan on actually playing songs with it, I wouldn't bother. Weighted keys cost $$$.

You don't need a sustain pedal, you just hold the key down for however long you want the note to be sustained for. Because you have a midi sequencer, you can trigger way more keys than you have fingers.

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

quote:

Originally posted by hey cheggy You don't need a sustain pedal, you just hold the key down for however long you want the note to be sustained for. Because you have a midi sequencer, you can trigger way more keys than you have fingers.

thanks for the advice guys.

my problem is the sample decays quickly. even if i hold the key down, the sample decays. for example, i'll throw up a bass sample in FL but when i hold it down it only lasts for a quarter note when i may want it held for... a measure or so. i dunno.

ive got an EDIROL PCR30 and its very good it was cheep aswell .,

___________________
I LOVE MUSIC

quote:

Originally posted by Omega_Blue my problem is the sample decays quickly. even if i hold the key down, the sample decays. for example, i'll throw up a bass sample in FL but when i hold it down it only lasts for a quarter note when i may want it held for... a measure or so. i dunno.

That would most likely be in the amp envelope of the sound. Open up the amp sustain and amp decay and that should solve your problem.

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.